Ukrainian tourism market grew to $900 million
In 2006, the Ukrainian tourism services market doubled and reached a record $900 million. About 75% of the market volume comes from outbound tourism, 15% from inbound, and about 10% from domestic tourism. The most popular outbound tourism destinations in 2006 were Turkey, Egypt, Europe (Czech Republic and Hungary), Thailand, and the UAE. Moreover, Turkey, Egypt, and Thailand account for about 80% of sales.
The Association of Tourist Agencies of Ukraine notes that the average cost of a seven-day tour in 2006 was $640. "Now consumers prefer more expensive vacations. In 2006, 80% of all sales for Turkey were for 5-star hotels, 12-15% for 4-star, and only 5-6% for 2-star," said Ravil Khamitov, President of the Association of Tourist Agencies of Ukraine.
Domestic tourism, particularly in Crimea and the Carpathians, also shows progressive dynamics. In 2006, sales of tours to these destinations increased by 30-40%. The main trend in the tourism business in Crimea was a decrease in the number of tourists from the former Soviet Union countries, especially Russia.
According to market operators' forecasts, the most popular outbound tourism destinations in 2007 will remain the same. Ravil Khamitov believes that in 2007, tourist flows to Turkey will double, to Egypt increase by 1.5 times, to Cyprus and Tunisia triple. It is expected that in 2007, the number of tourists in the Carpathians and Crimea will increase by 10-15%.
European Union approved banking reform
Ministers of European Union countries have advocated for banking reform. Its goal is to simplify and reduce the cost of money circulation within the alliance, reports the BBC.
After the reform, EU citizens will be able to use any credit and debit cards within the EU, as well as pay for goods through direct debit from foreign accounts. Currently, some countries prohibit transferring salaries to accounts of foreign banks until they open a branch in that country. The new banking rules will come into force in 2009. According to the reform's developers, it will allow ordinary Europeans to pay less for account maintenance.
In addition, EU ministers agreed to new uniform provisions for all EU central banks, under which they can block mergers and acquisitions. In particular, central banks will now have no more than 60 days to review such deals. The development of uniform standards in the M&A market began after complaints against the Bank of Italy and the Polish government, which infringed on the rights of foreign companies to purchase banking assets.
Majority of Latvian residents oppose euro introduction
A majority of Latvian residents (64%) are against or view negatively the prospect of introducing the euro as the republic's main currency, according to data from a TNS agency study.
According to the survey results, this is the highest rate in the European Union. In second place is Lithuania, where 62% of residents are also against the euro introduction. A trend of popular rejection of the euro currency is observed in all 12 new EU members.
In Latvia, the euro is planned to be introduced in 2010, but this prospect raises doubts among economists due to unusually high inflation (about 6%) and a current account deficit, which does not meet the criteria for countries wishing to adopt the single European currency. This study was conducted in winter, across all 12 new EU countries, surveying about 10,000 people.
Bulgaria's population is shrinking
Since the fall of the communist regime in 1989, Bulgaria's population has decreased by one million people. Currently, 7 million 700 thousand citizens live in the country, reported the National Statistical Service of Bulgaria.
Bulgarian experts cite among the main reasons for this trend low life expectancy compared to other EU countries, of which Bulgaria became a member on January 1, 2007, a decline in birth rates, and a high level of emigration. If the current demographic trend continues, the number of residents in Bulgaria will shrink by one third in a few decades, the report notes.
The current standard of living in Bulgaria is several times lower than in developed Western European countries. The average salary in the country, where practically every tenth able-bodied citizen is unemployed, does not exceed $240 per month. This circumstance forces people to leave the country in search of work abroad. Bulgaria's EU membership has opened up sufficiently wide opportunities for this.
Foreigners owe Czech hospitals more than €1 million
Foreigners without medical insurance owed Czech hospitals more than one million euros last year. This was reported by the Institute of Medical Information and Statistics.
Over the past year, Czech hospitals provided assistance to nearly 67,000 foreigners. The statistics are led by citizens of Slovakia, followed by Ukrainians, Germans, and Vietnamese.
Foreigners without insurance usually pay for medical services in cash, but they do not always have money with them. Thus, the debt of foreigners for the past year amounted to 8% of the total volume of medical services provided to them. Last year, about ?17 million was allocated for the treatment of foreigners, half of which was spent on citizens of the European Union.
In Finland, alcohol sales banned in the morning
In Finland, a law banning the sale of alcoholic beverages before nine o'clock in the morning came into force. Until now, sales could start at seven o'clock in the morning.
The Finnish Ministry of Health believes that the new measure will help combat binge drinking. 'This is a concrete example of the benefits of the innovation,' ministry representative Ismo Tuominen told journalists. According to him, the new law is just part of a policy aimed at combating alcoholism.
The relevance of such a policy in Finland is obvious, since according to statistics, excessive alcohol consumption and related diseases are the leading cause of death among Finnish men of working age. However, not everyone views the innovation with optimism. Representatives of the trade union expressed concerns that this law could negatively impact the safety of salespeople, as they will be the ones to explain things to customers suffering from hangovers who desperately want to get a bottle of beer. Beer and cider can be bought in regular grocery stores and kiosks in Finland, while stronger alcoholic beverages are sold only in the Alko store chain.
White House Devises New Visas for Illegal Immigrants
The US administration has agreed with Republican Party leaders in the Senate on a set of new immigration rules. According to CNN, under the bill drafted by the White House, illegal immigrants, of whom there are up to 12 million in the US, will be able to obtain a three-year work visa. Subsequently, it can be extended, but for each extension immigrants will have to pay an additional $3,500.
Holders of such a visa will receive legal status to stay in the United States, but to qualify for a so-called 'green card,' they will have to return to their home country, submit documents to a diplomatic mission, and pay a fine of $10,000.
The plan specifies that this visa program will only take effect after the number of Border Patrol officers is increased to 18,000, about 500 km of protective structures are built on the southern border, and electronic surveillance systems are launched.
Experts note that the bill proposed to senators is more conservative than the one already approved by Congress in 2006.
Czech Republic Plans to Issue 'Green Cards' to Foreigners
Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Martin Říman stated that in the future foreigners will be issued so-called 'green cards,' which would allow them to stay in the country for two years with the right to work. Martin Říman's statement is based on a decision made in March by Czech ministers.
Thus, the republic is responding to companies' complaints about labor shortages. It is not yet clear how many foreigners will be eligible for the 'green card.' In the future, a list of professions in short supply on the labor market is planned. Foreigners will be able to obtain work permits for these professions.
The minister also criticized the 'Selection of Qualified Personnel' program. Martin Říman stated that it does not attract workers from abroad but only speeds up the procedure for obtaining permanent residency for foreigners already living in the Czech Republic.